Slide-operated separable fastener



March 9, 1937. A ROSEMAN 2,073,380

SLIDE OPERATED SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed Jan. 6, 1934 4 SSheets-Sheet 1 TToRNEY l INVENTOR Marcha, 1937. L. ROSEMAN 2,073,380

SLIDE OPERATED SEPARABLE FASTEVNEE( Filed Jan, 6, 1954 -5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY March 9, 1937. LRQSEMAN SLIDE OPERATED SEPARABLE FAS'I-ENER Filed Jan.. 6, 1934 3 Shts-Sheet 3 lill/lll Il l N VEN TO R ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED" STATES PATE-NT ori-ICB Application January 6,

14 Claims.

This invention relates in general to separable' fasteners of the slide operated type including two l complemental series of interlocking members or fastener elements, the fastener elements of each series being secured on and spaced longitudinally of the edge of one of two pieces of material or tapes, and an actuating member or slider slidable over said fastener elements to cause said elements of one series to interlock with and disengage the fastener elements of the other series upon movement of the slider in opposite directions respectively. More particularly my inventionis directed to the attachment or connection of the fastener elements to the tapes or other material.

As is known to those skilled in the art, in separable fasteners of the general character described, the interlocking members or vfastener elements heretofore have been and now are usually clinched or clamped directly on the material or tapes in embracing relation to one edge of the. material or tape. In some instances the edges of the material or tapes are reenforced by cords sewed thereon while in other cases the edges are reenforced by integrally woven ribs or beads on the edges of the tapes, over which cords, ribs or beads the fastener elements are clamped. After the fastener elements have been clampedv on the tapes, the latter are sewed onto the edges of a garmentopening, a, pocket book, garmentbag or 0 the like, by stitches passing through tapes between their edges and inwardly of the fasteners. The clamping or clinching of the fastener elements on the tapes causes a lateral compression or squeezing of the cords, ribs or beads and the material at the edges of the tapes on which the fastener elements are secured, andthis in turn` causes an elongation of said edges of the tape so that said'edgesare longer than the opposite edges of the tapes, with the result that the fin- 40 ished tapes are longitudinally curved in their own planes, i. e. the edges carrying fastener elements are convexly curved while the opposite edges are concave. This is highly objectionable when the fastener tapes are secured on a garment or the 5 like, because the curvature tends to restrict free movement of the sliderand the edges of the tapes when secured together are wavy or rippled so as to cause unsightly bulging or puckering of the garcause the elongation of the cord by clamping of 1934, smal No. '105,523 (c1. 24-205) `are clamped on the tape and the clamping of Vthe fastener elements will elongate the shorter edge until it is substantially equal in length to the other edge. A similar effect might be obtained by weaving the beaded edge of the tape 5 shorter than the other. However, such tapes have not been satisfactory especially because of the difficulty in obtaining and maintaining proper relationship between the lengths of the opposite edges of the tapes during manufacture-and because of shrinkage and extension ofthe tapes under influence of changes of humidity and as the result of long periods of use.

Furthermore, the manufacture of fastener tape according to any of these known methods is costly, and the cost is increased by the necessity for use generally of special material which is quite different in structure and appearance from the material of garments or other articles to which the fasteners are applied.. This'dierence in material also makes vthe fastener conspicuous and unsightly in a garment or other article.

. Known fasteners the tapes of which have cords enclosed or woven therein, also have the objection that the-fastener elements cut land weaken the tape behind the cords. l

To overcome the above mentioned difllculties andv objections incident to manufacture and use of known types of tapes, I propose to clamp or attach the fastener elements solely to a braided or twisted cord or other narrow strip of pence trable material, before .the cord is applied to a tape'y or other material, with no portion of the cord projectingV a substantial distance beyond the clamped ends of the fasteners. and then fasten 35 the cord on\ the tape or material solely by a connector penetrating both the cord and the tape, for example byV stitching.

In this way, puckering and longitudinal curving of the tape in its own plane, is avoided bethe fastener elements thereon, takes place before the cord and fastener elements are applied to the tape, and the tape can be stitched on a garment or other article without elongation or contraction of the tape or the material of the garment, etc. Moreover, the invention permits the use of tapes formed of the simple forms of cloth instead of the bias woven tape which is now required to resist wear and tension at the points where the fastener elements are clamped on the tape. With my invention the fastener elements simply embrace or are strung on the cord and are not clinched upon the tapes or fabric; all strains on thev fastener elements are transmitted to the tapes through stitches-which can be made even more resistant to such strains than the'cloth tapes. Also cloth may be used which closely resembles in appearance the material of the garment, so that the fastener shall be inconspicuous and pleasing in appearance. y

Further objects are to provide a novel and imv proved construction of fastener tape which shall be less expensive and yet as strong or stronger than known types of fastener tape of the same general character; to provide such a structure wherein the cord carrying the fastener elements can be sewed on the tape or other material, easily, quickly and with simple automatic machinery substantially the same as that now used for sewing wire hooks and eyes on hook and eye tape; and to provide a fastener tape of the particular character described wherein the stitches shall hold the fastener elements against movement longitudinally of the cord and tape.

Known types of slide operated fastener tapes usually comprise strips of bias woven tape over which lie the edges of a garment or the like in close proximity to the slider so that the slider may catch on or run over the garment edge which both hinders operation of the slider and injures the material of the garment. My invention contemplates the use of a folded strip of cloth having the fasteners applied exteriorly at the fold and having a plurality of plies or superposed aps to receive the edge of a garment or other article between them so that said edge shall be concealedand covered and contact of the slider` therewith shall be prevented. The stitches which secure the fastener cord to the folded tape m'ay form a guide for and limit insertion of the garment edge between the plies or flaps and ensure clearance for the slider. mits the number of plies of the folded strip to be varied so that the strengthsepf the tape can be varied.

Where desired the fastener cord with the fastener-.elements thereon can be stitched or otherwise attached to one side adjacent one edge of the tape to provide a smooth at surface at the other side of the tape, and the fastener elements may be set inwardly on the tape so that the edges of the complemental tapes underlying the fastener' elements may abut each other and cover the fastener elements. In this form of the invention the anges at the side of the slider adjacent the tape may be cut away to clear the tape, as shown in my copending application Serial No. 596,431, led March 3, 1932.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings of several embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding and like parts are designated throughout the several views by the same reference characters,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a separable fastener embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the opposite side of the separable fastener shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a similar view on the line [-4 of Furthermore the invention perand2 showing a modified form of the invention.

Figures 9 and 10 are transverse sectional views on the lines 9--9 and lll-l0 respectively of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a sectional view on the line II-ii of Figure 7.

Figure 12 is a transverse sectional view through a modified form of the fastener tape.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary plan view of a modification of the fastener tape showing its use on the opening of a pocketbook or bag.

Figure 14 is a transverse sectional view on the line I4--i4 of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a sectional view through one ofthe fastener tapes before application thereof to a bag or the like.

Figure 17 is a view similar. to Figure 13 showing another form of the invention. y

Figure 18 is a transverse sectional view on the line l8-l8 of Figure 17,

Figure 19 is a fragmentary side elevation of the structure illustrated in Figure 18, and

Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a cover strip for the fastener elements.

Specifically describing the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, the separable fastener embodying the invention comprises two fastener tapes A each of which includes a carrier tape i and a Stringer unit which includes a braided or twisted cord or other narrow strip of material 2 and a plurality of fastener elements 3 secured on the cord.

The fastener elements are shown as of known construction and spaced longitudinally of the respective cords 2, each fastener element having one end bifurcated or notched or formed with an opening 4 to receive and peripherally embrace the cord, the sides of the notch, bifurcation or openingbeing compressed around the cord so as to clamp the fastener element thereon. The cord 2 is of such cross-sectional size that no por-v tion thereof projects a substantial distance beyond the clamped or bifurcated ends of the fasteners; in other words, the cord substantially corresponds in cross-sectional size with the notches or openings 4 of the fastener elements before clamping of the fastener elements on the cord. The other end of each fastener element has a protuberance 5 at one side and a corresponding shaped socket 6 at the opposite side to cooperate respectively with a socket and protuberance of a similar fastener element on another stringer unit.

In accordance with the invention the fastener elements 3 are clamped on the respective cords 2 before the cords are applied to the carrier tapes, and as above described, the clamping of the fastener elements on the cords causes a lateral squeezing or compressing of the cords with consequent elongation of the cords. After the fastener elements have been clamped on the cords, the latter are fastened on the respective carrier strips, by a connector passing through both the cords and the carrier strips, preferably by stitching, and in this way, there is no possibility of elongation of the cord or stretching of the carrier tape after the Stringer unit including the cord and fastener elements has been applied to the carrier tape. As shown on the drawings, the cords are fastened on the carrier tapes by continuous lines of stitching which include stitches e 1 which extend transversely of the carrier tapes and penetrate both the carrier tapes and the cor- -l including the cords tener elements. Other vstitches 8. preferably responding stringer cords between adacent fascontinuous with the stitches 1 pass'around the ends of the fastener elements'which are secured to the cords and extend longitudinally of ,the

carrier tapes.

It is possible to stitch the cords on the carrier tapes without any puckering or rippling of the carrier tapes or cords, and therefore the finished fastener tape made according to the invention will have perfectlystraight and parallel edges and there will be no tendency to curvature of the fastener tape in its own plane as is common in fastener tape made according to known methods.

Should it be desired to make the edges of the fastener tape which carry the fastener elements?" slightly concave, it is merely necessary to feed the stringer unit more slowly 'than-the: carrier jtape as the stringer cordis stitched uponthe carrier tape.

From t-he foregoing, it will be observed that the important distinction between my method and structure and the known methods, is the clamping or connection of the fastener elements to the stringer cord'before-the latter issecured to the carrier tape, and then connecting-the stringer cord with the attached fastener elements to the carrier tape. Another important feature is the use of stitching for connectirigthe Stringer unit to the carrier tape whereby all Astrains on the fastener elements are transmitted to the carrier tapes through the stitches andthere is no tendency of the fastener elements to cut orv perforate or ravel the carrier tapes under such strains. Moreover, the stitches 1 between the fastener elements assist in preventing movement of the fastener elements longitudinally of 'the Stringer cords, and may ll the spaces between the elements to'provide'secure attachment of the fastener element to the'tape.

Another feature of my invention is the use of a folded cloth strip as the carrier tape. This strip is shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive and has a longitudinal fold 9 which forms 4a plurality of i superposed plies or fiaps I and IIbetween which the edge of a garment or other piece of material may .be inserted. PreferablyY the stringer cord 2 is secured to the carrier tape at the fold as clearly shown in Figures 3 and' 4, and the stitches 1 and 8 provide guidesand limiting'stops for the edge ofthe material -B during insertion thereof between the flaps I0 and II -so that the bulge in the carrier tapes'produced bythe material B will not be carried so close to the-fastener elements as to interfere with the-usual slider or cam actuating device C which isrutilized'for connecting and disconnecting the fastener elements of the two cooperating tapes. "iobviously,`

In some instances it may be desirable to apply the Stringer units to one side of the carrier tape, as shown in Figures '7 to 11 inclusive. In -these figures the carrier tapes are 'designated D and embody substantially the same construction as the carrier tapes A. However, the stringer units are secured to one side of each carrier tape lx1-- stead of at the fold or edge thereof as in the form shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive. The cords are shown as secured to the carrier'tapes by transverse stitches I2 and longitudinal stitches- I3 corresponding to the stitches 1 and 8 re- `spectively.l Preferably the Stringer units are so connected to the carrier tapes that the edge portions ofthe carriertapes underlie the interlockinge'nds orportions of the fastenerelements which interlock with`the fastener elements on another stringer, as indicated at I4 on Figure 10, so that. when the fastener elements of two .fastener tapes are connected together the edges of l'thecarrler tapes will-abut each other and cover and conceal the fastener elements at one side of the fastener tapes. 'This construction provides a smooth surface on the fastener tapes which may be desirable where the tapes must contact with an undergarment or the skin.

-With this form of the invention, the slider E "must have the flanges at one side cut away as indicated at F to clear the carrier tapes, as shown in'my copending application Serial No. 596,431, filed March 3, 1932. as well as Patent No. 1,817,- 837, granted Aug. 4, 1931.

A modification of the invention is shown in Figure 12 where the stringer unit is fastened on the" carrier tape G before the latter is folded, the stringer unit extending along the longitudinal median line of the tape and the tape being folded over the stitches so as to form a garment attaching flap and to conceal the stitches, as"

shown by dot and dash lines;

Figures j13 to 16 inclusive show a form of the invention especially adaptable for use on the edges of an opening in a pocketbook or bag. In this form of the invention, the carrier. strip H is initially fiat as shown in Figure 16 and the stringer unit issew'ed upon the carrier strip intermediate the longitudinal edges of the latter. Thereafter the carrier strip is f'oldd at the stitches to form two parallel iaps I5 between which the edge portion I of a pocketbook, bag or pouch may be secured by stitches I6. In this, form of the invention, also, the slider K -willhave the flanges at one side thereof cut away as indicated at IIl is sewed on one side of the carrier tape L adjacent one edge thereof. The stringer unit includes the cord I8 and the fastener elements I9 which are in general the same as the fastener elements 3 but differ 'from the latter in that the attaching ends'20 of the fastener elements are offset laterally'from the interlocking ends ZI so that the fastener elements may project beyond the edges of the carrier tapes' and provide adequate surface for engagement therewith of the flanges of the slider M. The edge N of the opening of a bag or pouch may be secured between the aps of the carrier tapes L as shown in Figure 18.`

In all forms of the invention, due to the separate formation of the carrier `tape and Stringer cord, the carrier `tape may be formed of ordinary woven cloth, for example similar to that of a garment to which the fastener is to be applied, so that the fastener may be relatively inconspicuous. Furthermore, the structure is relatively inexpensive.- 'I he stitches provide a secure attachment of the fastener elements to the carrier tapes and there is no possibility of the clamped ends of the fastener elements cutting or tearing the carrier tapes, as in known tapes of this general character. Moreover, the edges of the fastener tapes can be made straight so as to avoid puckering or rippling of the edges of agarment opening to which the fastener is applied, when the fastener is closed.

In some instances it may be desirable to provide a cover strip for the fastener elements, and as shown in Figure 20, a cover strip 22 may be sewed on the carrier tape'over the fastener elements simultaneously with the sewing of the cord on the carrier tape and by the same stitches which are designated and 2l and correspond to stitches 'l and 8. lIhe adjacent longitudinal edges of the cover strips of two cooperating fastener tapes abut each other to completely cover the fastener elements when the fastener tapes are connected.

While I have illustrated my invention in several different embodiments it should be understood that this is primarily forillustrating the principles of the invention and that many changes may be made in the details of construction of the fastener without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Also, the stringer units may be secured directly to the edge of a garment or other article instead of being connected to the carrier tape. 'I'his eliminates necessity for a carrier strip and thereby materially reduces the cost, and eliminates bulkiness lincident to use of carrier strip.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A fastener tape for separable fasteners of the slide-operated type, comprising a carrier tape, and a stringer unit including a separate cord and a plurality of fastener elements clamped only on said cord in tight peripherally embracing relation thereto and in spaced relation to each other, said cord being connected to said carrier tape solely by stitches penetrating both the cord and the tape.

2. A fastener tape for separable fasteners of the slide-operated type, comprising 'a carrier cord, a pluralityof fastener elements clamped only on said cord in tight peripherally embracing relation thereto and with the cord engaging portions of the fastener elements in spaced relation the slide operated type comprising a carrier tape folded longitudinally into a plurality of plies, and a stringer unit including a separate cord and a plurality ci fastener elements clamped only on said cord, said cord being fastened upon said carrier tape on the outside of the fold thereof solely by stitches penetrating both the cord and the tape so that the edge of a garment or the like can be secured between the plies of the carrier tape.

4. A fastener tape for separable fasteners of the slide-operated type, compiiising a carrier tape, and a stringer unit including a separate cord and a plurality of fastener elements clamped thereon independent of said carrier tape, said cord being secured on said tape solely by stitches penetrating the cord and the tape along the longitudinal medianline of the tape so that the carrier tape can be folded longitudinally into a plurality of plies which serve as material attaching aps to receive the edge of a piece of material 15 between them and to conceal the stitches at one tape, and a stringer unit including a separater side of said carrier tape whenl the llatter is folded.

5. A fastener tape for separable fasteners of the slide-operated type. comprising a carrier tape, and a stringer unit including a separate cord, a plurality of fastener elements clamped only on said cord in tight peripherally embracing -relation thereto and in spaced relation to each other, said cord being secured in abutting relation to one edge of said carrier tape solely by stitches penetrating both said cord and said carrier tape.

6. As an article of manufacture, a stringer'y unit for a separable fastener of the character described comprising a penetrable cord, and a plurality of fastener elements clamped at one end thereon in tight peripherally embracing relation thereto and formed at their other ends with portions to interlock with similar fastener elements of another unit, the first mentioned ends of said fastener elements being spaced apart longitudi-.

nally of the cord to permit penetration of the cord with stitches for securing the cord on another article.

7. A separable fastener comprising two pieces of material to be connected, a separate cord for each said piece, a plurality of fastener elements on each cord each having one end clamped on said cord in tight peripherally embracing relation thereto and the other end formed to interlock with the fastener elements on the other cord, and means penetrating said cord between said fastener elements and penetrating thel corresponding piece of material and constituting the sole connection of said cords to the respective pieces.

8. The fastener tape set forth in claim 1 wherein said stringer cord and fastener elements are sewed on one side of said carrier tape.

9. The fastener tape set forth in claim 1 wherein said stringer cordand fastener elements are sewed on one side of said carrier tape by stitches penetrating the carrier strip and stringer cord between adjacent fastener elements.

10. A separable fastener of the slide-operated `type comprising a pair of fastener tapes each including a carrier tape and stringer unit for said carrier tape including'a cord independent of the carrier tape having a plurality of fastener elements formed with anchoring portions clamped on said cord in tight peripherally embracing relation thereto and interlocking portions to cooperate with corresponding portions of thefastener elements of the other stringer, each cord being sewed on one side of the respective carrier tape adjacent one edge thereof with the edge portion of the carrier tape underlying the interlocking portions of the corresponding fastener eley ments, so that the adjacent edge portions of the carrier tapes cooperate to cover the interlocking portions of said fastener elements when the fastener elements of the two fastener tapes are interlocked with each other.

11. A fastener tape for separable fasteners of the slide-operated type comprising a carrier type, and a stringer unit including a cord separate from said carrier tape and a plurality of fastener elements spaced longitudinally of the cord each formed at one end with a portion to interlock with similar fastener elements of another' unit and having an opening at its other end in which said cord is peripherally embraced and tightly clamped, and connecting means penetrating both said strip and said cord for fastening the cord to the strip, said cord being otherwise unconnected to said tape.

12. 'I'he fastener tapeY set forth in vclaim 3 wherein said cord is fastened on the carrier tape by a continuous line of stitches including stitches disposed between the fastener elements and other stitches disposed inwardly of the ends of the fastener elements which are 'connected to the crd, whereby said stitches form a guide and limiting stop for the edge of a garment or the like inserted between the plies of the can'ier tape.

13. A fastener tape for separable'fasteners of the slide-operated type, comprising a carrier tape, and a Stringer unit including a separate cord and a plurality of fastener elements clamped only on said cord in tight peripherally embracing relation thereto and in spaced relation to each other, and means for connecting said cord to said carrier tape including stitches penetrating the carrier j tape and engaging said cord between said fastener elements;

14. A separable fastener comprising two pieces of material to be connected, a separate Jcord for each said piece, a plurality-of fastener elements on each cord each having one end clamped only on said cord in tight peripherally embracing relation thereto and in spaced relation -to adjacent fastener'. elements and with the other end formed 

